I am still managing on my laptop, my hard drive had been corrupted and I am waiting to get it back and, more importantly to see what has been saved. Fortunately I have a fairly recent backup so hopefully it won't be too bad.

I promised the other part of my lovely day out.

After leaving Margaret I went to the British Museum to re-visit the Dark Ages galleries and also to see a part of the Stafforshire hoard which was on show. It was great to see these objects just as they had been found, encrusted in mud, with the gold gleaming through. Sandy has some great pictures on her blog, my camera wasn't up to the task.

From there, a quick visit to the Cloth House for a browse, an eaves drop on a guy who was buying yards of fabric to make a sort of seaside tent and a very small purchase, just half a metre of this

Don't ask, I haven't a clue what I'm going to do with it.

Next port of call was the stangely named Haunch of Venison which I didn't know existed until Margaret told me. So pleased she did as I was able to catch the final days of an exhibition by Chiharu Shiota.

This wonderful structure was made of window frames, it made you just want to wander round and gaze up and through, and I so wanted to sit on one of the chairs.

In the next room was something completely different! Click on the photographs for a closer view.

Like something out of Sleeping Beauty, this webbing was all made out of thread, apparently it took two weeks to install, but how one would know where to start I can't imagine. I took this from inside a web tunnel, it was an amazing feeling.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

today it was warm enough to brave the draughty station platforms so I took myself to London. I had a special reason for wanting to go up, for some time I have been following Margaret Cooter as she took a foundation course in Art and Design at the City Lit college in London. Today was the first day of their graduate showcase. I enjoyed the exhibition as a whole but I thought Margaret's little corner was very special. Named "Journey" and made of paper clay tablets on long fragile legs it is a piece which changes from every angle.

This is the base of the "staircase"

which Margaret describes as being like those "we find ourselves climbing constantly in nightmares"

On the wall was part of her "travel writing"the aim of which is to "draw a straight line ata constant speed, perhaps pausing at station stops - making real-time records of invisible spaces.

Here Margaret is showing her current piece of "travel writing"

also in the photo is Sandy Snowden who I was pleased to meet along with Carol Wilkes, and we had a lovely discussion about rust dying. How civilised is that? ( I'm sorry I didn't get the gentleman's name)

On they way out there was more of Margaret's work.

I loved these.

Apologies for the standard of the photographs, my proper PC is in dock so I haven't been able to tweak. It is always good to meet fellow bloggers and this was no exception. More if my super day out later in the week when, hopefully, I will have my machine back.

Monday, March 15, 2010

This morning, inspired in part by Lynda's blog and part by a Mother's Dat gift from my son of some holographic embossing powder (along with some interesting papers) and probably by the sunshine, I had a little play. Ages since I've done anything like this.

I unearthed a piece which I had made when taking the workshops on Fibre in-Form, Scrunched up torn fabric, stitched onto pelmet vilene I had painted it with blue and bronze acrylics from Atlantis Art Materials and then I started in with the holographic powder. I was still lacking something so I dug out my gold flakes and added them till I was happy.

I then mounted it behind a samll gold frame, it is only just over 5"x5"

The may be a week to go but as far as I am concerned today is the first day of Spring.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

When I was wondering how to proceed, Jude gave me the advice to "let it do", such advice is precious and I tried to follow it. I outlined the the main areas of colour and then I started to fill them in just as I would when doodling. As I worked I realised that there were even more subtle changes of colour so then became a little area too. I tried to use a different stitch for each area just as I would make different marks.

The colours are still not quite right, I've tried indoors and out. There is much more contrast between the purples and green. For the moment I have turned it into a bag which I will use for the EG South East Area Day Tote challenge, I have made it so that it can be converted into a cushion later on. It has taken me two months and I have to say I enjoyed every minute. I would like to try it again sometime, either with stronger colours or maybe in monochrome.

When I was chosing the material for the backing the salesgirl in John Lewis said "Well, the embroidery's quite RAW!". I smiled sweetly and said "I think you mean FREE!". Everyone's a critic!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

but did you know that a certain lady of uncertain years is spending a lot of time with this young man.

OK I'll confess. I was given a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas and over the last few weeks I have slipped into the habit of spending 20 minutes each morning with "my trainer". I strive for perfection in the hope that he will say "You're postures fantastic.".(He is not giving me a gold star here, it is just the flash on the TV screen) Seriously I am really enjoying using the system and I am beginning to see the benefits apart from having a good giggle. You should see me trying to fly in my chicken suit! I leave you with that thought, I hasten to add I have absolutely no affliation .